Maharashtra govt formation: BJP brass to consult Sena, NCP on CM as party backs Devendra Fadnavis

Another functionary of the Shiv Sena maintained that Shinde is “still in play, and there is no final decision” on the CM post. Indicating that the party is in no mood to give up the post easily, the functionary said: “Talks are on… There will be multiple rounds of discussions before the name comes out. It might take some time.”

It is learnt that the BJP leadership has convened a meeting in New Delhi with Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar to discuss power-sharing details and the Cabinet composition. An announcement is expected only after the discussion.

The BJP leadership is learnt to have assured its allies that it would accommodate their concerns to the extent possible while keeping intact its own interests.

The leadership does not want to antagonise Shinde, the Chief Minister who led the Mahayuti’s campaign in the run-up to the Assembly polls. The BJP is, therefore, making efforts to convince Shinde to accept its choice.

The leadership, it is learnt, wants Shinde to propose the name of Fadnavis. “Maintaining the image of an accommodating coalition leader is very crucial for the BJP as it heads a coalition government at the Centre,” a BJP leader said.

BJP leaders pointed to the mandate in which the party won 132 seats – 13 short of a majority on its own in the 288-member House. They feel Shinde would be a “weak CM” if he takes up the post.

“But if Shinde steps aside, it would be a big boost to his image as a leader, and his bargaining power with the BJP during government formation and in other decisions will be stronger,” a leader said.

Another source said the Sena might land up with around 12 ministerial berths and be given some key portfolios. The NCP could also get around 10 ministerial berths.

The maximum permissible limit for the Council of Ministers in Maharashtra is 43, including the CM. The BJP is likely to keep 21 ministerial berths for itself.

According to the source, there were indications that the top four portfolios of Home, Finance, Urban Development and Revenue that the BJP was keen on retaining would now be shared with the alliance partners.

The BJP, party insiders said, may insist on Home and Finance. The negotiations on ministerial berths and portfolios are to continue.

The Shiv Sena, on the other hand, believes that if Shinde is denied the CM post, Uddhav Thackeray and his party will get the room to target Fadnavis and the BJP. They will be accused by the Uddhav faction of using the Shiv Sena name and symbol to come to power and then dumping it. “It could well be turned into a BJP vs Maharashtra fight,” a source said.

The consolidation of Maratha votes is another weapon in the Sena arsenal. It says that if Shinde is allowed to continue as CM, the BJP will generate goodwill of the community – the Sena argument is that Shinde is the leader who “demolished” the Congress and prevented it from securing Maratha votes. The party is also reminding the BJP that the mandate is for the Shinde government’s welfare measures and “good governance”.

There are some in the BJP who are not dismissing outright the Shinde group’s arguments. These leaders also warn that “any move to sideline Shinde could affect the BJP’s prospects in local body elections across Maharashtra”.